سید مهدی رضایی

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed significant vulnerabilities in production and consumption systems. Its economic and social consequences have underscored the urgent need for more sustainable approaches to food production and consumption. Since young consumers are often described as innovators and environmentalists, the present research aims to identify the influence of consumption ethics, knowledge, and understanding among young people on their responsible behavior toward food waste in the environment. The statistical population consists of young people aged 18 to 35 in Tehran. The sample size was calculated using Cochran's formula, resulting in 400 participants, and a multi-stage cluster sampling method was employed. The results of hypothesis testing show a positive role for awareness of food waste in encouraging responsible behavior among young people, as well as in shaping their food waste ethics. Additionally, the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on food purchasing by young people has a positive influence on their responsible behavior and their understanding of the environmental impact of food waste. The findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has led more people to adopt food waste reduction behaviors, and that awareness of the ethics and environmental consequences of food waste has increased among young people.